Monday's Menu Plan

Monday: baked tilapia, steamed cabbage and broccoli, and rice

Tuesday: Marinated grilled chicken breast, grilled zuchinni,

Wednesday: Pulled pork, baked potatoes

Thursday: venison steak and veggie stir-fry, lo mein noodles

Friday: don't know yet...will be doing some coupon sales and shopping.

Saturday: something yummy in st louis :)

Sunday: toasted sub sandwiches

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

For today - July 19th -

Outside my window…its hot and muggy. Chance of bad storms rolling to night.

I am thinking…about the coupon class I attended last friday. So much info and tips rolling around my head. I can't wait to put it into practice and do some amazing saving!

I am thankful for… From the learning rooms…reading, park days, some art stuff. From the kitchen…baked tilapia, steamed broccoli and cabbage, and rice for dinner this eve.

I am wearing…brown shorts, and a ss blouse I am creating…a top secret project.....

I am going…to take a walk as soon as it cools down some this evening. I am reading…Every Now & Then by Karen Kingsbury

I am hoping…to get time to work in our storage shed soon. Must figure out how to de-clutter and organize better!

I am hearing.... Logan chattering, convincing his Daddy he knows about computers.

Around the house…Keira is toddling around, she started walking two nights ago. Now to change the baby-proofed house to toddler-proof!

One of my favorite things…ice water.

A few plans for the rest of the week: playdate at the pool, library art class, babysitting a friend's 7 yr old, quick trip to St Louis on Saturday, then back to teach pre-schoolers on sunday morning.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Friday's Fave Five

Sharing five high-lights from my week with you and the meme at Living To Tell the Story.

1. been listening to the just-released cd by the Newsboys. Its a great album, that I wasn't sure I would like it since Peter F. is no longer their front-man. Michael Tait brings a dc talk flavor to the group.

2. making jam with my Mom...blackberry and blackberry peach.

3. I had a blog reader/comment all the way from Prince Edward Island!!! My favorite place in the whole world, ever since I was a little girl and read Anne of Green Gables. Such a simple, silly little thing, but it really made my week :) Sweet lady with a beautiful blog. Check her out... Island Sparrow.

4. Keira feeding herself with a spoon for the first time! She is quickly becoming a big girl...can't believe she is almost one.

5. P90x. This is week two of our workouts. Week three of our diet change. Fred & I both are wearing smaller shorts this week! I've lost 8 pounds so far! We love this workout. Its intense, but flexible and I love how it focuses on a diff area each day, so there's no chance of getting bored.

Making My Own...

Yes...I'm one of those.

A super-thrifty mom trying to cut pennies a every corner. I make my own laundry detergant.
I just finished my 2nd batch...getting ready to make my third giant bucket.

Now, I'm not always really good about keeping track of the details. I intend to. Life interrupts.
Here is what I do know:

bar of Fels Naptha - $1.29

box of Washing Soda - $2.89

box of Borax - $ 4.05

I already had a large five gallon bucket. So my supplies cost me appox. $8.23. I've made/used two buckets so far and have plenty left to make more. All I have to buy for each batch is another bar of fels naptha. (I've tried Ivory, but wasnt nearly as impressed.)

Its actually pretty easy to make too. Grate the bar of soap up, disolve in water on the stove. Pour into the bucket, add washing soda, borax, and more water. Stir it up and leave it overnight and it will turn into an enormous amount of slime!

The best part, (besides all the MONEY I'm saving!) is it works great! Plus the extra bonus for me is its completely safe to use on the baby's clothes as well. So no more seperating all their clothes and buying expensive bottles of Dreft.

For really bad stains, I pre-treat with a bar of soap (fels naptha) rubbed on the stain.

For really strong sweaty husband odors, I load everything into the washing machine and let soak for a bit before I run it.

The weirdest part is it doesnt really foam or bubble up, but thats ok. Its not supposed to...and they come out smelling fresh.

I personally like the Duggar's recipe. But here is another good recipe with detailed pictures at The Simple Dollar.

Have you tried your own laundry soap yet? I would love to hear any tips or ideas you have! :)

this week's healthy Menu Plan

Monday: meatloaf, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken Salad w/ basalmic dressing

Wednesday: Turkey Chili

Thursday: Pepper Steak on rice

Friday: Oven-fried chicken, sweet potatoes, broccoli

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today July 12, 2010

Outside my window….my 6 yr old and all her little neighborhood friends are playing "spa party" and painting each other's toe nails.

I am thinking….about my blog and the changes I have been working on this week. hoping to improve my overall "look".

I am thankful…that my niece is pregnant with twins...and NOT me! LOL

I am wearing….jean capris and a new summer scooped-neck tshirt...barefoot

I am remembering…picking blackberries with my mom & younger sister when we lived

on a farm as teenagers. All the adventures we would have tromping through the woods.

I am creating…getting ready to start working on jams & jellies this week. Peaches, blueberries, wild blackberries, and sand plums.

I am praying…for some much-needed answers.

From the kitchen…healthy meatloaf, made with lean venison, oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs, egg, and spices. Along with baked potatoes with fresh chives from my window pot, corn on the cob, and sliced tomatoes.

I am hoping…for an amazingly restful and long night of sleep! After such a busy weekend, I am feeling drained.

From the learning rooms…lots of books about everything being read around here, for the library's summer reading program. And last night, my six yr old learned how to make sushi!

I am hearing…the loud silence.

Around the house…laundry still needs folded. Computers still need moved off my dining room table and hooked back up on desks.

One of my favorite things…when my children wrinkle up their noses & smile

A few plans for the rest of the week…library story time, artsy smartsy class, wed night church, and super-excited about going to a couponing class friday night!

Here is a picture I would like to share: exhausted...the way I feel

Read more daybooks through Peggy's blogspot at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Trash or Treasure?

My favorite quote of the week...found on facebook, a friend says "I officially have grounds for divorce. Yes, that's right. He once again gave away something from my junk pile to the scrap metal guy. Grrrrr..........."

The old saying "one man's junk is another man's treasure" sure rings true. LOL

I have always had a love for finding things....garage sales, flea markets, junk piles, old attics,...
I love the rush of treasure hunting.
I love the hidden (usually forever un-told) story behind things.
I love imagining and making up stories of who owned it...how they got it, what they used it for, how they loved it.
And I especially love the new show on the History Channel....American Pickers! Have you seen it?!


This is actually season two, but I didn't get in on til the end of last season.

Just two normal guys, Antique Archaeologists , driving around the country in a van...scouring yards and barns for treasure. Mike & Frank love the history behind the pieces they find. The people they meet are the true stars of the show.

What was one of your favorite finds? Mine is an old old sewing machine. And my old books.

I would love to find and old typewriter...and maybe a camera.

the New Blog Guidebook!

The Blog Guidebook is a friendly forum for all bloggers, to help you connect with your interests, as well as showcase your personal blog.

Currently features over 60 different blog catagories!

For example:

a day in the life of

adoption

cottage & country

food cooking baking

home organziation

junking/thrifting/collecting

motherhood/babies/children

photography

rural life

A few faves...

Sharing five of my favorite things from this past week. No matter how our week goes, there is always beauty in the simple moments. What were some of your favorite moments this week? Join with me at Living to Tell the Story.


1. Summer storms....and how quickly they end in such a beautiful way. The kids were so excited about seeing such a huge rainbow.

2. Youthful spirits

These two gentlemen were slowly strolling through the county fair, both eating orange popsicles! They made me smile. And miss my Dad.

3. Riding the carousel with Keira for the very first time. She was in awe all through the fair.

4. Making memories.... watching how sweet & grown-up my oldest "baby" is quickly becoming. So independent.

5. Sitting on top of the world...with my favorite little man in the ferris wheel. It was his first time to ever go to a fair and do rides like that. He was so brave and held my hand so I wouldn't be scared. At one point, he said "This is a great mommy-logan date, huh?"

Simple Woman's Daybook

For TODAY ~ July 5th 2010

Outside my window...sunshine and blue skies.

I am thinking...that its crazy to be halfway through the year already! This summer is flying.

I am thankful for...America, the beautiful.

From the kitchen...right now, coffee & granola. On the counter for later, zuchinni, yellow squash, huge tomatoes, onions, peaches, and canteloupe.

I am wearing...black yoga capris and a pale pink t.

I am going...over to my Mom's today to open windows, clean, and put some groceries in the fridge. We're so happy to have her coming home> Been a long two weeks without her.

I am reading...A Nantucket Love Story "Driftwood Lane". I think I'm in love with the east coast. Sounds amazing.

I am hoping...to see it someday. Tour up the coastline and then head up to Prince Edward Island :)

I am hearing...a certain little girl stirring in the crib, trying to wake up.

Around the house...my early-riser is crunching on his cheerioes and playing in the floor.

Meanwhile, my sleepyhead is getting her beauty rest. I'm enjoying one brief moment of quiet solitude for the day, with coffee & granola. Getting ready to start laundry.

One of my favorite things...perserving memories though photography. Oh...and bed n breakfasts. Sorry, I know thats two fave things...I couldnt pick just one.

A few plans for the rest of the week: working up some healthy meal plans, continuing our first week of P90x, Library summer reading program, a MOPs planning meeting,

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Summer in a glass

Sure signs of summer:

• 
  
  tall glass of iced tea


• 
  
  hammock


• 
  
  picking blueberries


• 
  
  lemonade


• 
  
  back porch visiting

Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea

Bring 1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids. Wipe saucepan clean.

Bring 4 cups water to a boil in same saucepan; add 3 family-size tea bags, and let stand 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and blueberry juice mixture. Pour into a pitcher; cover and chill 1 hour. Serve over ice.
Southern Living, JULY 2007

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